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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 1: Different Paths
Stepping out of the palace, Lin Feng felt utterly exhausted and longed for a good sleep. As for who would be the emperor of the Great Tang, it was none of his concern.
Although Uncle Emperor insisted on supporting the Crown Prince's succession, it was clear that he was not an ignorant fool. Perhaps he was just a bit old-fashioned.
Before leaving, Lin Feng had recommended Chen Guang for a position. He hoped the princess would appoint Chen Guang as the Southern Border Commander to lead the defense against the Barbarians.
While a large-scale invasion by the Barbarians was unlikely in the short term, disturbances from skirmishes were inevitable. National defense could not be neglected. As for the Northern Frontier, across the river lay Wind Nation.
The Great Tang had signed the Eternal Peace Treaty with Wind Nation, so there was no need for excessive vigilance there. The Tang soldiers were still insufficient in strength; good steel should be used wisely.
“Lin Feng.”
Hearing someone call his name, Lin Feng turned around to find Wind Spirit. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he said, “Ling'er.”
At the sound of his voice, Wind Spirit felt a sweetness in her heart and smiled happily. But soon, her expression turned serious again.
Noticing something was off, Lin Feng asked, “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”
With a grave look, Wind Spirit replied, “The Great Zhou has begun its invasion.”
“The Great Zhou couldn't hold back any longer,” Lin Feng scoffed.
“Lin Feng, would you accompany me back to Wind Nation? With you by my side, I will feel more confident in facing the Great Zhou,” Wind Spirit said hopefully.
Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "Of course I'll return to fight alongside you. However, I need to take care of some matters first, is that alright?"
"Of course it is."
Hearing Lin Feng's affirmative response, Wind Spirit was overjoyed. She said, "I knew you wouldn't just leave me hanging. Lin Feng, I need to head back now. A few of the Uncle Emperors sent an urgent letter an hour ago. They are really driving me crazy."
Wind Spirit understood that Lin Feng was still a part of the Tang Dynasty and served as the Guardian General. How could he just leave when the Tang Dynasty was in decline?
Lin Feng nodded and said, "Alright. I will finish my tasks as quickly as possible. I promise you, I will definitely come back to find you."
"Lin Feng, can you give me a hug?" Wind Spirit shyly asked.
"You silly."
Lin Feng smiled and then opened his arms, holding Wind Spirit tightly.
Not far away, Chen Guang and Mulan were also saying their reluctant goodbyes.
Mulan asked, "Are you made of wood?"
"No," Chen Guang replied.
"Are you stupid?"
"What about you? You're the one being foolish," Chen Guang said indignantly.
"Why is your head resting on mine, while you still aren't holding me?"
"Hehe. Is that okay?"
"No, it's not. Goodbye, never see you again."
"Hold on, hold on... I'm just a bit shy."
"What's there to be shy about when hugging a woman? It's not like it's your first time."
"This really is my first time," Chen Guang said, his face turning red as he lowered his head shyly. It seemed that the roles of this couple had somehow reversed.
Tang Jiner stood at a distance, quietly watching Lin Feng and Wind Spirit embrace each other. A complex mix of confusion, envy, and anger crossed her face.
"Why can Lin Feng like her?"
"Why can't Lin Feng like me?"
"Am I not as good as her?"
"What makes me inferior to her?"
“She is a princess of a nation, and so am I. She is a prodigy of the Master Realm and Cultivation, and so am I. She saved the Wind Nation in its time of peril, while I saved the Tang Dynasty from destruction.”
“She is stunningly beautiful, and I am not lacking in that regard either.”
“Why? Why is this happening?”
“I have turned my hair white for him in a single day. I think of him day and night, lying alone on my pillow. In his heart, there is only Miaomiao, and I can only endure my feelings in silence.”
“Yet, at this very moment, why is he holding another woman?”
“Where does he place Miaomiao?”
“And where does he place me in his heart?”
Tang Jiner lamented, while Mo Mo listened quietly.
“Princess, my master once told me that love between a man and a woman is like poison that runs through the veins. One should never touch it. Once touched, one can never hope to detoxify.”
“All men in this world are fickle. You think of him day and night, but he thinks of others at all times. Princess Lin Feng is no different.” Mo Mo looked at Lin Feng with disdain and indifference. The fondness she once felt for Lin Feng had vanished without a trace.
“Your master may be right, but she has truly loved and been loved. And what about me?” Tang Jiner smiled sadly and turned to leave.
Mo Mo followed behind and said, “It seems Lin Feng previously declined the offer of promotion just for Wind Spirit. And Wind Spirit leading the army to aid Tang was likely also for him.”
"Let him go if he wants to leave. If his heart is not in the Tang Dynasty, what use is it for him to stay?" Tang Jiner's various emotions faded away, leaving only a faint indifference.
Lin Feng continued to hold onto Wind Spirit. Though no wind blew, the two of them felt as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.
"Lin Feng, what are you thinking about?" Wind Spirit asked.
Lin Feng did not respond.
"Are you thinking about Sister Miao?" Wind Spirit guessed astutely.
"Yes," Lin Feng admitted honestly.
"How could you be thinking of someone else while holding me?" Wind Spirit pushed Lin Feng away with a huff, glaring at him in anger.
Lin Feng was at a loss for words; he felt somewhat clumsy when it came to matters between men and women. He stammered, "Ling'er, I..."
"Hahaha..."
Wind Spirit suddenly doubled over with laughter. "I was just teasing you! I'm right here with you. I consider Miaomiao as my sister, so why would I mind if you're thinking of her? However, you mustn't think of any other women; otherwise, I will really get angry."
"Of course," Lin Feng replied, thinking that this Ling'er had a quirky side to her, somewhat similar to Miaomiao, always enjoying teasing him.
"Lin Feng, I really don't want to leave you. Come walk with me."
"Alright."
Lin Feng and Wind Spirit walked through Chang'an, surrounded by the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty busy clearing the battlefield.
"I wonder if after the battle with the Great Zhou, Wind Nation will also end up like this, with corpses everywhere and blood flowing on the ground. A prosperous capital turned into ruins," Wind Spirit said with concern.
"Wind Nation is not fighting alone. If Wind Nation aids Tang, no matter how lacking in troops the Tang may be, they will lend a helping hand to Wind Nation," Lin Feng replied.
"Is that so? Is this your personal opinion or the opinion of the Tang?" Wind Spirit asked with interest.
Lin Feng countered, "When you led troops to aid Tang, was that your personal decision or the decision of Wind Nation?"
Without hesitation, Wind Spirit responded, "Naturally, I acted for Wind Nation. I cannot deny that I had my own selfish motives; I did not want to see you die in battle for Tang. But I also acted for the future of Wind Nation."
"If Tang falls, how can Wind Nation survive between Great Zhou and the Demon Barbarians?"
Lin Feng nodded. "The people of Tang are not lacking in vision either. I believe that the alliance between Tang and Wind Nation is not just words on a piece of paper but is backed by action."
"Then I look forward to your arrival with the armies of Tang," Wind Spirit suddenly became serious, resembling a commander strategizing on the battlefield.
"I'll walk you partway."
"What? I have no intention of saying goodbye. You remember pushing me away, right? Are you eager to catch up with that Tang Jiner?"
"Lin Er, what are you thinking? Your women's thoughts are so unpredictable."
"It’s as if you’ve never seen a woman before. Is it strange?"
"Not strange at all." Lin Feng thought to himself that with Lin Er and Miaomiao around, he really should get used to it.
"Come walk with me a bit more. The Great Zhou won't launch a full-scale attack for now. With a few Uncle Emperors holding the fort over there, I still have some free time."
"Sure."
"Lin Feng, tell me about Sister Miao's story. I want to know more about her. When the day comes that I meet her, I need to flatter her properly. Otherwise, if she doesn’t allow you to take a concubine, I’ll be left here alone in sorrow."
Lin Feng pondered, "You hit the nail on the head. If Miaomiao doesn’t agree, I really wouldn’t know what to do."
"Huh? I was just joking earlier. If Sister Miao doesn’t agree, you really wouldn’t want me anymore?" Lin Er asked in surprise.
"Well... Lin Er, let me be honest with you. I’m quite submissive when it comes to women. Besides, Miaomiao has suffered a lot with me; we grew up together. My whole life was meant to be spent with her. Who would have known..."
"Who would have known you’d meet me instead?"
"You silly girl. If I were saying this to another woman, she would definitely turn around and leave without a second thought. That’s if she has a good temper and some upbringing," Wind Spirit said.
"What if she doesn't have any upbringing?"
"Slap you twice, then kick you once. Spit on you before leaving. Don't laugh... I'm not joking. I'm serious when I talk to you... Even if it hurts inside, I still accept it cheerfully."
The Wind Spirit looked at Lin Feng in silence, as if realizing that her words had struck a nerve. She couldn't help but smile reassuringly, thinking to herself that this guy still cares about me; it's not all about his Miaomiao.
"Tell me the story of Miaomiao. From the moment you met her."
"Sure."
The two walked side by side as Lin Feng recounted his past with Miaomiao. It began in Qingshan Town, then moved to Solitary Moon City, and later to the Great Zhou Capital for the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference.
Finally, he accidentally wandered into the Yunlu Xian Sect.
The Wind Spirit listened intently, word for word, as if trying to memorize every detail. After Lin Feng finished his story, the Wind Spirit looked enviously at him. "So you and Sister Miao have gone through so many life-and-death situations together. No wonder you're so deeply in love with her. Sister Miao is truly remarkable; I can't wait to meet her."
"I think she likes me too and accepts me," the Wind Spirit said confidently.
It was this confidence, rooted in her genuine feelings, that opened Lin Feng's heart. The Wind Spirit firmly believed that she could also unlock Miaomiao's heart and make her accept herself.
Parting ways after a long journey is inevitable.
Lin Feng waved goodbye to the Wind Spirit, smiling yet reluctant at heart.
The Wind Spirit and Mulan led the Wind Army away, a grand procession that soon disappeared from view.
Chen Guang was desperately waving his hands, tears streaming down his face as he sobbed uncontrollably.
"Why are you still crying? They've already left," Lin Feng asked.
"My lord, my heart feels so heavy, so heavy."
"Come on, you're in your seventies, three times my age. This can't be your first love, can it?"
"Yes, my lord. This is the first time in my life someone has liked me."
"First love is sweet, but a first love with an old man is terrifying."
Unable to bear Chen Guang's pitiful state of weeping and wailing, Lin Feng quickly left. (To be continued)
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